World Champs Live: Kavipriya-Singhi in action, Lakshya Sen to start next

We are very highly close to India’s matches. Once the current matches finish on Court 1 and Court 2, India will be in action.

I give it half an hour more, at max.

India’s best men’s double pairing Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are playing in this year’s Badminton World Championships.

In fact, if Satwik can manage his shoulder injury, the duo have a good chance to win a medal this year.

Sat-Chi have not played yet because they have been given bye in the first round.

They will be in action on August 19. It is tomorrow.

The 18-year-old from Rohtak is not overawed by the occasion and said Ayush Shetty’s upset win over world No.1 Shi Yu Qi on Monday will act as motivation for Indian shuttlers, including her.

“Highly special moment (first World Championships). I just want to focus on my game tomorrow. Like, I just want to give my all, 100 per cent and be there and just enjoy as it’s going to be a good match.

“He (Shetty) is my good friend and he played really well yesterday. And definitely he won against the seeded number one here. So it really gives everyone confidence that just remember who you are and just give it all. On the court, there is one versus one and anybody can lose and anyone can win. So just believe in yourself,” Unnati said.

The youngster feels being patient is key to success in the conditions here.

“I think being really patient is important. That’s the one thing I’ll just keep in mind. Even I did it today also, in the last half of the court set and it really assisted me. So keeping my nerves in control.

“Sometimes in drift conditions it’s difficult, but I feel like it’s not that much difficult to judge if it’s going out or in,” she said.

Indian youngster Unnati Hooda has had a rapid rise in the badminton world.

She looked a little flustered today, but was able to win her first game in her debut World Championships campaign.

UNNATI HOODA’S SPEAKS AFTER HER FIRST WIN

Rising Indian badminton star Unnati Hooda credited her rapid ascent in the sport to her father and mentor, Upkar Hooda. This person sacrificed his career to train her full-time and is now guiding her from the coach’s corner at her debut BWF World Championships.

Upkar, a former university-level player, quit his government college job to to travel with his daughter for tournaments, even as she has sifted her base to Chhotu Ram Stadium Badminton Academy in Rohtak to polish her skills under coach Parvesh Kumar.

Even so, till date her father remains her biggest inspiration.

“I’m not forced (into badminton). Of course, definitely there is a massive contribution of my family and my dad. He quit his job as well. So I cannot say in words how much he has contributed to me, but yeah, I am really thankful that I have a great family who support me a lot,” Unnati told PTI after her first round win over Myanmar’s Thet Htar Thuzar 22-20 21-16.

She will next face 13th seed Michelle Li of Canada.

“And I would like to thank Reliance Foundation additionally. This person has been a great help since my journey from the past three years.”

Asked who was sitting in the dug out with her in Tuesday’s match, she replied: “No, that was my father. Right now, I train with him, my father.”

India’s best men’s singles player, Lakshya Sen, will be in action around 6 pm. India have two more representations before that.

5th seed Cristo Popov was knocked out of the BWF World Championships in his very first game.

He played his singles match in the afternoon, only a day after playing doubles with his brother Toma Popov.

Toma and Cristo were knocked out in doubles as well.

Akshay Ramesh listens to Cristo speak after his tournament concluded prematurely:

India’s results so far: Badminton Live

India’s Schedule in BWF World Championships today

Badminton World Championship: Live Updates

BWF World Championship Live: Hello and welcome